Removing Torsion Bar Front Suspension - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

robber grin · 04-23-2012, 11:09 AM

It's been a while - Are there any tips (or warnings) for the removal of a 62 C10 torsion bar front suspension?

I plan on turning the bar tension down and relieving the spring tension before unbolting everything.

markeb01 · 04-23-2012, 11:37 AM

Disconnect the front shocks and jack up the front suspension to allow maximum control arm drop. This will relieve as much tension as possible from the bars before you start unwinding the adjustment bolts. A good soaking of PB Blaster or other penetrating oil ahead of time might also help. Make sure the frame is well supported on jack stands behind the firewall. In case you can't remove the torsion bars from the lower control arms (I couldn't) the whole crossmember assembly will need to be pulled out from under the front. My original 1960 crossmember was stuck pretty tight and needed a cable winch to pull it free.

In case you haven't seen the thread here's how I did the suspension swap on my truck:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366828

robber grin · 04-23-2012, 12:07 PM

Thanks that's a help for sure - any chance you have the templates documented in some way that is transmittable???

markeb01 · 04-23-2012, 12:25 PM

I'm sorry to say I wasn't thinking far enough ahead to a time when there would be truck forums. Since they were dirty when I got finished I just tossed them out. If they were still around it would have been easy mark up the dimensions and scan electronic copies.

robber grin · 04-23-2012, 01:42 PM

I'm just hoping to be as accurate as possible with the shock mount relocation.

Power Steering Gear Box kit will take care of itself and the idler placement is the last big mounting issue there.

Factory sway bar will be easy enough by working off the bar when it's on the lower control arms and dropping the brackets - even thought about mounting the frame side bushings directly to the frame with some sort of low profile mounting plate.

The crossmember sounds like it spots itself to a point - but the shocks will require some more figuring out... don't need to be in any more of a bind "than usual".

THANKS for sharing!

04-23-2012, 11:09 AM	#1
robber grin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sunny Youngwood PA Posts: 463	Removing Torsion Bar Front Suspension It's been a while - Are there any tips (or warnings) for the removal of a 62 C10 torsion bar front suspension? I plan on turning the bar tension down and relieving the spring tension before unbolting everything.

04-23-2012, 11:37 AM	#2
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: Removing Torsion Bar Front Suspension Disconnect the front shocks and jack up the front suspension to allow maximum control arm drop. This will relieve as much tension as possible from the bars before you start unwinding the adjustment bolts. A good soaking of PB Blaster or other penetrating oil ahead of time might also help. Make sure the frame is well supported on jack stands behind the firewall. In case you can't remove the torsion bars from the lower control arms (I couldn't) the whole crossmember assembly will need to be pulled out from under the front. My original 1960 crossmember was stuck pretty tight and needed a cable winch to pull it free. In case you haven't seen the thread here's how I did the suspension swap on my truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366828 __________________ My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444502

04-23-2012, 12:07 PM	#3
robber grin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sunny Youngwood PA Posts: 463	Re: Removing Torsion Bar Front Suspension Thanks that's a help for sure - any chance you have the templates documented in some way that is transmittable???

04-23-2012, 12:25 PM	#4
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: Removing Torsion Bar Front Suspension I'm sorry to say I wasn't thinking far enough ahead to a time when there would be truck forums. Since they were dirty when I got finished I just tossed them out. If they were still around it would have been easy mark up the dimensions and scan electronic copies. __________________ My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444502

04-23-2012, 01:42 PM	#5
robber grin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sunny Youngwood PA Posts: 463	Re: Removing Torsion Bar Front Suspension I'm just hoping to be as accurate as possible with the shock mount relocation. Power Steering Gear Box kit will take care of itself and the idler placement is the last big mounting issue there. Factory sway bar will be easy enough by working off the bar when it's on the lower control arms and dropping the brackets - even thought about mounting the frame side bushings directly to the frame with some sort of low profile mounting plate. The crossmember sounds like it spots itself to a point - but the shocks will require some more figuring out... don't need to be in any more of a bind "than usual". THANKS for sharing!



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